CAREER: Veteran fifth-year tight end who will be looked to for a significant role this season ... approved for fifth season of eligibility by Faculty Board on Athletics since he did not play as rookie in 2002 ... has played in 31 games for the Irish in his career, making five catches for 50 yards while logging 144:26 of playing time ... joins fellow Minnesotan John Carlson to give Irish substantial experience at tight end for 2006.

2005 (SENIOR): Played in all 12 games, seeing action at tight end and on special teams ... was in the starting lineup against Pittsburgh when the Irish opened in a three-tight end formation ... credited with two solo tackles against Ohio State in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl ... did not catch a pass, but played extensively as a blocker in multi-tight end situations ... made four tackles (four solos) on special teams ... logged 63:23 of playing time with 91 special teams appearances.

2004 (JUNIOR): Appeared in eight games, making six starts at tight end in first six games of `04 season... made two receptions for 22 yards versus Purdue, including a long of 16 yards ... made his first-career pass reception against BYU in the season opener ... had three catches for 28 yards versus the Cougars, including a long of 15 yards ... had a tackle versus Michigan ... logged 75:18 of playing time and made 45 special teams appearances.

2003 (SOPHOMORE): Played in 11 games as a tight end and on special teams ... made one tackle against Pittsburgh ... saw his first significant playing time at tight end against Stanford, playing 3:30 ... totaled 5:45 on offense and made 174 special teams appearances (third-most on the team).

2002 (FRESHMAN): Did not see action as a rookie reserve tight end for the Irish.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Graduated from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, Minn. ... a two-time Minnesota all-state selection ... named to the 2002 SuperPrep squad ... caught 18 passes for 300 yards and three TDs as senior in 2001 ... helped his team post an unbeaten regular season and 11-1 overall record as a senior, including a berth in the Minnesota class 5A playoffs that ended with a quarterfinal loss ... earned three letters in football ... started several games at defensive end as a sophomore, then moved to tight end as a junior ... had 16 catches for 400 yards, four for TDs, as a junior in 2000 ... made 30 tackles and six sacks as a senior ... had 20 tackles and five sacks as a junior ... helped his team win three straight league titles, twice earning all-league recognition ... helped his team win 1999 state title as sophomore ... from the same high school as current Irish offensive lineman Ryan Harris, former Irish fullback Rashon Powers-Neal (his cousin) and former Notre Dame All-America baseball pitcher J.P. Gagne ... lettered in basketball at forward as a sophomore ... played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl ... attended Notre Dame summer football camp in 2001 ... born Oct. 24, 1983, in St. Paul, Minn. ... full name is Marcus Leon Freeman ... younger of two brothers ... graduated from Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business in May, 2006 with a degree in marketing ... earned 3.0 grade-point average during `05 fall semester ... currently enrolled in graduate studies.